NASHVILLE --- Tennessee State's second half came up one point short as visiting Tennessee Tech held on to defeat the Tigers 77-76 in Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday night.
TSU had battled back from as much as an 11-point deficit in the second half to take the lead at 66-65 with 2:52 remaining. However, Tech bounced back from the deficit to lead by as many as six points on two occasions, the last at 76-70 with 14 seconds left.
TSU seniors Garrett Richardson and Brandon Lockridge each converted 3-point field goals the rest of the way to cut into the final margin. Lockridge made the final 3-pointer with two seconds left.
"I was proud of the way our players fought back in the second half," said TSU coach Cy Alexander. "We did not do a good job on the defensive boards in the first half and did much better in the second half.
Bruce Price led TSU with 20 points, 16 coming in the second half. Roshaun Bowens had his fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Richardson and Adrian Pritchett were the other TSU players in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Tech was led by Massachusetts transfer Willie Jenkins' 34 points. Milone Clark scored 17.
TSU (4-15, 3-5) will be on the road at Morehead State on Feb. 7.